Portobello Market

On weekend mornings, the usually beautifully picturesque and winding stretch of Portobello Road’s northern section plays host to a frantic mass of activity. Like the famous carnival in the same neighbourhood, Portobello Market is popular for a reason – when something’s just this fun, it can be hard to resist.

The main draw of the market is the abundance of antiques and vintage items that are sold by local traders as well as those coming from far and wide. There is nowhere better for purchasing antique and vintage anywhere else in London than Portobello on market day. While Borough Market is a huge mass of humanity concentrated in a wide catchment area, Portobello’s is all about the length – the market winds down for a good half a kilometre.

In addition to the esoteric and ersatz, the market also holds court to numerous traders hawking everything from freshly squeezed lemonade to vintage scarves, clothing and head massages. At the south end of the market where the road widens, it becomes a little less congested and along with the usual fruit and veg market, there are numerous stalls selling terrific street food, from Caribbean jerk chicken and curry to Moroccan tagines and Thai stir fries.

One of the best things about the market is the party atmosphere that stirs as soon as you turn off Pembridge Road onto Portobello and that sweeps down the entire stretch to the overpass. On a sunny spring or summer day, there aren’t many better days out in London.

Opening times: Market day is Saturday morning, and the fun stretches into the afternoon.

Nearest Tube: Start from Notting Hill Gate tube and work your way down Portobello Road from there.